BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LED by four men bearing a white casket, over two hundred people turned out yesterday afternoon (Apr. 16) and marched through the streets of downtown Basseterre, for what they claimed to be in protest against a number of issues, including the high cost of living and resignation of Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas.
The march, dubbed ‘Freedom March’ was organised by the recently-formed Operation Rescue, which is led by former Labour Party government minister Dwyer Astaphan, former People’s Action Movement minister Richard Caines and social activist and historian Washington Archibald.
The march began on West Independence Square Street at approximately 4:00 p.m. with some 100 persons and increased in numbers as they moved along the streets of Basseterre.
The march ended on Bank Street with a rally where Astaphan and his fellow organiser spoke at length to the marchers and a large number of onlookers.
In his address to the gathering, Caines said Dr. Douglas’ time has arrived and indicated that the event was one of many planned marches.
“Dr. Denzil Douglas, your time has come and gone. What you are doing to this country, we are no longer willing to take it. Never mind you said that we couldn’t walk down Church Street…but we going to march like hell in this country until you leave…”
In response to his view on the afternoon’s activity, Caines told SKNVibes, “Today’s march was highly successful; it was more than we expected. We had supporters from all the parties and I think this is what is encouraging, which means that our message is not political but one that says all is not well in the country…therefore come on board and join us.”
He also addressed the Prime Minister’s call for people to wear red yesterday to mark the approach of Labour Day in May.
“I think that was an attempt to frustrate some of the people who would have come on the march. But he did not succeed. I personally did not see the presence of people in red, and if they had heeded his call I would have seen them,” Caines said.
Astaphan said he was also pleased with the turnout, but declared that many government workers were scared to be seen on the march.
“We are very pleased with what has happened; we had a good turnout. The march was peaceful and purposeful. The people who were involved in the march, both walking in the streets and standing on the sidewalks, were supportive. However, even though the bulk of those on the sidewalks were supportive, some of them were afraid to be actually moving on the march but they were moving from corner to corner and street to street.
“They were afraid because they don’t want to lose their jobs. They are suffering and they felt that they could be victimised, but they still wanted to be identified with the cause, but carefully. I am urging them not to be afraid…next time come on the march, nothing can be done to harm you,” he said.
The former National Security Minister recounted a conversation he had yesterday with some civil servants prior to the march.
“A couple of civil servants spoke to me today. They told me, ‘Our superiors told us if you go on the march you will lose your work.’ But I am saying that it cannot happen. Everybody in this country must be able to express his or her right, to complain about what is happening and to protest, once he or she is doing so peacefully.
“This is just a step forward. We had a good crowd, a good turnout and the whole atmosphere was positive and productive, and Dr. Douglas did not get his way. He wanted to red-up the town, but it didn’t work, and that must be a bad message for him,” Astaphan said.
Many of the marchers had placards, and written on some of them were: “Throw him (Dougie) overboard”; “No electricity increase”; De poor can’t take no more! Lord u aint get no heart!!”; “If dis a how u love, Lord please hate us”; and “We want integrity in Dougie’s life. Lawd a can’t tek it no more…electricity…VAT…Levy and Dougie!!”
Among those placard-bearing marchers was a man named Fedrick Dyer, who said, “I am proud to be on the Freedom March to support my fellow Kittitians and Nevisians who are going through these hard economic times, mainly caused by Prime Minister Douglas through the high national debt, VAT, Social Levy, increased electricity rates and a number of other misgivings.”
Dyer is of the view that the escalation of crime and violence resulted from examples set by Dr. Douglas.
“Crime and violence have escalated in the Federation and no significant effort is been made by the government to address this situation. I blame the Prime Minister for the crime and violence we are now experiencing, because he did not set good examples. He is not a good role model for our young people.
“Take a look on my placard and you will see why we are in this state of lawlessness. I only wrote the words…they were said by Dr. Douglas in 1993 when he incited the people of St. Kitts to resort to violence. One of his statements were, ‘Do not send your children to school’ and many others that incited the people,” Dyer said.
He was in high praise of Astaphan and would like Deputy Prime Minister Sam Condor and Senior Minister Dr. Timothy Harris to publicly condemn Dr. Douglas’ “wrong doings” and take over the reins of leadership.
“I am grateful to Mr. Astaphan for letting the people know what type of man Dr. Douglas is. I am praying that Mr. Sam Condor and Mr. Timothy Harris can publicly condemn his wrong doings and take over the leadership so that our country can return to one of peace and tranquility with a new direction. In addition to this, we have marched for freedom,” Dyer added.
One of the marchers told this media house that the casket, with a mannequin inside, symbolised the “death of people in this country from the high cost of living and violent crime”.
